BRADFORDABBAS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4th November 2025 at 7.00pm on Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Attendance: Cllrs. R Legg, P Clark, D Furby, S Jenkins, D Coffin, J Barber, 2 members of the public and the Parish Clerk.
- Welcome and Apologies for Absence: The Chairman welcomed Councillors and the member of the public to the meeting.. Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr. Thomas, these were agreed and accepted unanimously.
- Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
- Minutes of the Meeting of the 2nd September – These had been circulated, their acceptance was proposed by Cllr Clark, seconded by Cllr Jenkins – Agreed unanimously. Minutes of the Meeting held on 8th October 2025 These had been circulated to Councillors, their acceptance was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Furby - Agreed unanimously
Matters arising from the Minutes a) Blackberry Solar Farm – nothing to report
b) Hallam Land – On-line consultation has ended. Copies of several written objections had been received, these will be circulated when an application is received. The Clerk has made contact with the Town Clerk for Yeovil on the matter.
c) A30 – It was reported that that speed cameras were being installed along the road, possibly for a new speed survey. The Dorset Road Safety Partnership had met regarding the problems on the road, but the outcomes of that meeting were as yet unknown.
5. Public Consultation – Council was asked whether they would be prepared to support the cost of
the Village Hall Wi-Fi as it had done in the past. Councillors discussed the matter and agreed
unanimously to support the Village Hall on receipt of a written request. Councillors also
discussed the transfer of the domain name to the village hall when the new ‘.gov.uk’ domain was
up and running, the Parish Council would continue to pay the domain renewal fees as a donation
to the costs of the Village Hall. This was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Clark - Agreed
unanimously. This arrangement will be built into the forthcoming Budget.
- Financial Matters – a) Income and Expenditure – The paper had been circulated to Members. It was noted that the Council Insurance and the Remembrance Day Wreath had come in under the estimate. There had been income receipts since the last meeting, two regarding the allotment rents and also the half-yearly precept which had been transferred into the Deposit Account. Under ‘future payments’ due before the next meeting, it was agreed to pay the Parish On Line mapping access for a further year as it may be required for any updates to the Neighbourhood Plan following the consultations. Cllr Legg proposed and Cllr Clark seconded the proposal that the payments be made. This was agreed unanimously.
- Draft Budget 2026-2027 – The Clerk presented a draft budget for the forthcoming financial year. It was indicated that there were still some assumptions and unknowns, particularly around the Neighbourhood Plan expenditure which the Council had already agreed to underwrite as the Government funding had been withdrawn and it was felt that it would be wasteful to stop the process now (Sept 25). The paper also indicated expenditure to date and anticipated expenditure to the end of the Financial Year. The Clerk requested agreement for introducing three ring fenced lines in Reserves, one for future repairs to the signposts, war memorial and play area. The Budget would be amended to include agreements regarding wi-fi, domain names and Reserves and will be brought back to the January meeting for agreement prior to the Precept setting.
8. Dorset Local Plan Consultation and Dorset Transport Plan - The submissions had been
circulated to Councillors, these would now be added to the website.
- To Consider any Planning Applications and Decisions – These had been circulated with the Agenda, no new applications had been received. Discussion followed regarding the Appeal for non-determination, P/FUL/2024/04791 Saxon Maybank three holiday lodges and install a package treatment plant that had been lodged. Cllr Legg reported that Dorset Council at committee had indicated 5:3 that it would have approved the application and this was being notified to the Inspector. There was still local opposition to the plans and it was noted that one lodge encroached on the new footpath. It was agreed that the Parish Council would submit a report to the Inspector based on previous objections. Agreed unanimously.
10. Flooding, Gullies – a) The Clerk had written to the Environment Agency regarding flooding of
the river, especially at Smiths Bridge where there are a number of trees, bushes and amounts of vegetation hampering the flow of water, particularly as this area seems the conjunction of the Rivers Yeo and Wriggle which also get swollen due to outflows from pumping stations and water treatment works. The Environment Agency recommended that residents report any river flooding to the ‘Incident Communication Service’ by calling 0800 807060. Line open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The more flooding is reported, the more likely it is that the river gets cleared.
b) Gullies – Dorset Council had been contacted regarding flooded blocked gullies which were not draining and causing flooding down North Street and Back Lane. Gullies will only be cleared when reported. Contact Dorset Council web site ‘Report a gully, drain or flooding issue’ with information regarding position of gully and a photo if possible.
11. Reports from representatives – Tree Officer – nothing to report. Rights Of Way – Cllr Furby has
reported fly tipping and there was a car on Underdown Hollow with police aware tape. The monthly report had been submitted. Pennant – Need to advertise the Wriggle bus company. Village Hall – Cllr Jenkins reported that the wall had been damaged but was to be repaired. Nothing more has been heard from the school. DAPTC – The Clerk had attended the Devolving Dorset conference run by DAPTC – it does not affect Bradford Abbas at this time as we have no Dorset owned services or assets. Boundary re-organisation due 2027 ready for 2029 elections – smaller Parishes may wish to think about uniting due to economies of scale and difficulties getting prospective Councillors.
12. Reports from Working Groups – Telephone Box Group – Nothing to report. Recreation Field –
A rotten post needs to be looked at. Play Inspection Company needs to visit. Neighbourhood
Plan – Very well attended consultation events. Feedback on Facebook, Pennant, web site. All comments to be collated and evaluated. Consultation closes on 1st December. Results will then be prepared and any modifications made prior to submission.
13. Communications and Urgent Business – The Police report indicated the only problem in the
area is the continuing problem of shop lifting at the Peel Centre. Diary Dates for 2026 were discussed as there is a need to move the May meeting due to its proximity with the Bank Holiday and an extra meeting in June to discuss the AGAR return.
14. Date of next Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at 7.00pm in Bradford Abbas Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 8.30pm
Financial Information for Ordinary Council Meeting 4th November 2025
Current Account £5,704.93 Balance in Current Account as reported at 2nd September 2025
Payments made since that date Agreed
£229.60 Ch 1010 Salary Month 5 02/09/25
£181.45 Ch 1009 KM Dike Inv 2304 02/09/25
£732.35 Ch 1011 Insurance 02/09/25* Less than reported initially £375.00 Ch 1012 Allotments 02/09/25
£6.75 Bank Charges 02/09/25
£174.20 Ch 1014 HMRC PAY 02/09/25
£237.20 Ch 1013 Salary Month 6 02/09/25
£181.45 Ch 1016 KM Dike Inv 2326 02/09/25
£195.00 Ch 1017 Printing (NP) 02/09/25
£252.00 Ch 1015 External Audit 02/09/25
£5.75 Bank Charges
£40.79 Domain Renewal 02/09/25
£24.49 Remembrance Wreath 02/09/25* Less than reported previously
Direct Debits
£0.32 03/09/2025 AWS EMEA
£0.32 03/10/2025 AWS EMEA
£0.32 03/11/2025 AWS EMEA
Income Paid In
£500.00 Allotment 05/09/25
£8797.11 Precept ½ year 25/09/25 Transferred to Deposit Account 29/09/25
£125.00 Allotment Assn 13/10/25
£3,717.43 Balance in Current Account as at 3rd November 2025
Future Payments £181.45 KM Dike Inv 2349
£266.60 Salary Month 7 inc 5 months back pay
£6.75 Bank Charges
£76.80 Parish On Line (NP) ?
£18.00 Hall Hire (NP)
£22.50 Hall Hire Extraordinary Meeting
£181.45 KM Dike est
£237.20 Salary Month 8 (Nov) est
£237.20 Salary Month 9 (Dec) est
£185.00 HMRC PAYE est
£1,412.95 Total Future Payments
(NP) denotes payments to the Neighbourhood Plan budget
Deposit Account
£29,914.17 balance in Deposit account as reported at 2nd September 2025
£16.56 Interest September
£8797.11 Precept transferred in
£16.35 Interest October
£38,744.19 balance in Deposit Account 3rd November 2025